Azores determined to keep Ryanair

The Government of the Azores said it would do everything in its reach to prevent low-cost airline Ryanair from pulling out of the region.

Using words like “determination” and “willingness” to maintain the airline’s flights to the region and says it is “keeping channels for negotiations” open.

We are facing a recurring situation and, just like two years ago, we will continue with the same determination and willingness to pursue the partnership between the Azores and Ryanair. We are keeping channels of dialogue open, and exploring all the opportunities available to us,” said the Secretary of Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, Berta Cabral during the discussion of the Azores Plan and Budget for 2026, which is taking place this week at the Regional Assembly in Horta.

Last Thursday Ryanair announced that it was cancelling all flights to and from the Azores from March, 29, 2026, blaming high airport taxes from the company that runs Portugal’s airports, ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, which Ryanair says is running a monopoly through the French holding that owns it – the Vinci Group.

Taxes increased 120% at the last review while a passenger tax of €2 per passenger was also introduced.

“Ryanair’s recent announcement presents us with new problems, but it does not detract from the essentials: the excellence of our destination and the quality of our product,” said Berta Cabral. In the debate, the PS/Açores criticised the lack of a strategy for tourism, considering that if the Regional Government “announces routes in summer, it announces excuses in winter”.

”How do they intend to improve air accessibility if they show passivity, a lack of concern and total inaction in the face of the news that Ryanair will pull out of the region, which represents an atrocious setback for the mobility of the Azoreans and a severe blow to the tourism sector?”, said the socialist Marlene Damião.

SOURCE: ECO